Ask IFAS: Southwest Florida REC

Southwest Florida REC

The Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) is located in a vibrant agricultural region, one mile north of Immokalee and approximately 35 miles southeast of Fort Myers, where faculty and staff are actively conducting research programs in citrus horticulture, vegetable horticulture, irrigation and water resource management, precision agricultural engineering, pest management, plant pathology, citrus pathology, agricultural and natural resource economics, soil microbiology, plant physiology, weed science, soil science, and agricultural economics.

Editorial Team

Mike Burton

RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS

The Citrus Red Mite (Panonychus citri): A Pest of Citrus Crops

IN1367/ENY2081by Emilie Demard and Jawwad A. QureshiOctober 19th, 2022Panonychus citri is a phytophagous mite of economic importance in open citrus orchards and a major pest in Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS), a new undercover production system tested in Florida. Immatures and adults feed on citrus leaves, fruits, and green twigs resulting in mesophyll collapse, shoot dieback, and fruit drop. In Florida, P. citri occurs throughout the year but is most abundant in spring or early summer and autumn or early winter. Although chemical sprays like Abamectin or Fenbutatin oxide provide some control of P. citri, resistance has been reported in different regions of the world. Several predatory insects and mites have been shown to attack the mite and could be potential natural enemies to use in biological control programs.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems

Biology and Management of Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) in Citrus Groves

HS1451/HS1451by Nirmal Timilsina, Sharpton Toussaint, Camille McAvoy and Ramdas KanisserySeptember 25th, 2022Horseweed has gained importance in recent years due to reports of the development of herbicide resistance to several modes of action, including glyphosate and paraquat. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department presents information about the lifecycle, identification, and management of horseweed in citrus groves. This publication is mainly intended for Florida citrus growers but will also be helpful for Extension agents, crop consultants, and others interested in citrus production. Written by Nirmal Timilsina, Sharpton Toussaint, Camille McAvoy and Ramdas Kanissery.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems

An Introduction to Florida Commodity Enterprise Budgets: A Tool to Improve Farm Business Planning

FE1109/FE1109by Kimberly L. Morgan, Tara Wade, Kevin Athearn, Chris Prevatt, Ariel Singerman, Edward “Gilly” Evans, Trent Blare, Hayk Khachatryan, and Zhengfei GuanDecember 19th, 2021Enterprise budgets help farmers and ranchers estimate expenses, potential revenue, and profit. UF/IFAS provides enterprise budgets for a variety of Florida-grown commodities. These are typically built collaboratively by economists, horticulturists and agronomists, ranchers, and growers. This publication highlights key aspects of the enterprise budget as a planning tool for farm businesses. Includes links to UF/IFAS enterprise budgets and related documents specific to several Florida commodities.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems

Trunk Injection to Deliver Crop Protection Materials: An Overview of Basic Principles and Practical Considerations

HS1426/HS1426by Leigh Archer, Ute Albrecht, and Jonathan CraneNovember 15th, 2021This new 8-page article presents an overview on the use of trunk injection for the targeted delivery of protection materials to agricultural crops to manage pests and diseases. Different methods of injection are described along with the underlying plant physiological principles, possible implications on the tree, and other concerns and considerations. Written by Leigh Archer, Ute Albrecht, and Jonathan Crane, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems